Waterproof overshoe having looped counter strap



K. M. GAETZ Oct. 16, 1951 WATERPROOF OVERSHOE HAVING LOOPED COUNTER STRAP Filed Dec. 5, 1949 Patented Oct. 16, 1951 UNITED ,sTATEsH PATENT oFFicE` 7' l COUNTER STRAP Kenneth Mcaetz, Stewartsville, Minn.

. Application December 5, 1949, Serial No. 131,202

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in vwaterproof overshoes, and the principal object of the invention is to protect the shoes and feet of the wearer from moisture in substantially the same manner as by conventional rubbers but Without the conventionally experienced diculty and annoyance of subjecting the prospective user to the necessity of stretching or otherwise strenuously applying the protective footwear over his or her shoes.

This object is achieved by the provision of the instant overshoe which has an upper formed from limber material adapted to iit over a shoe with sufcient looseness to facilitate convenient and expeditious application or removal, yet with sufficient stiffness to facilitate proper retention thereof in position on certain types of shoes, while on other types of shoes the invention contemplates the provision of means for dependably retaining the overshoe in place.

An important feature of the invention resides in providing the overshoe with a sole having a flat inner surface, whereby the shoe is adapted for accommodating shoes having heels of diierent sizes and types.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction, in its dependable operation, in its pleasing appearance and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects and vfeatures in view, and such other objects and features as may become apparent as the specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof, but showing the same in a different size,

Figures 3 and 4 are side elevational views of the invention, still in different sizes, and

Figure 5 is a typical longitudinal sectional view of the invention.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a Waterproof overshoe designated generally by the reference character I0 in Figures 2 and 5, the same being preferably formed from molded rubber, or the like, and including a relatively stii sole I2 and a relatively limber upper I4.

Although the side edge portions of the sole I2 may be arched at the instep as indicated at I6 for purposes of enhancing the appearance, it is to be noted that the upper or inner surface I8 of thesole I2 is at from heel to toe, so that the overshoe may accommodateshoes having' heels of diierent sizes and types. If desired, a flat inner sole or pad 20 may be positionedon the upper surface of the sole I2, for obvious reasons.

The construction lof the several overshoes shown in the accompanying drawings is substantially the same, the only exception being in that the overshoe shown in Figures 2 and 5 is primarily intended to accommodate shoes with so-called wedge heels of substantial height, the overshoe vdesignated generally by the reference character 22 in Figure 3 is intended for shoes with so-called Cuban heels, the overshoe designated at 24 in Figure 1 is adapted to accommodate high heeled shoes, while the overshoe indicated at 26 is intended for low heeled shoes, it being understood that these different sizes or types of the overshoe may be used on shoes with either a closed or lan open back.

In any event, the size of the upper I4 is such as to provide sumcient looseness to facilitate application and removal, yet to afford sufficient rmness or stability for frictional retention of the overshoe on a regular shoe, particularly, a regular shoe of la closed back type where the upper of the regular shoe affords sufficient area for frictional engagement with the overshoe, particularly with the rear portion of the latter which is reinforced or stiffened as will be further described.

These reinforcing means assume the form of what may be called a doubled counter strap 28 which is suitably secured to both the inner as Well as the outer surface of the rear portion of the upper I4 and projects above the latter to provide a finger piece or a nger receiving loop 30, thus enabling the prospective user to pull the overshoe into position on the regular shoe while the counter strap 28 substantially reinforces the rear portion of the upper I4, as will be clearly apparent.

Moreover, a suitable ankle strap 32 may be extended through the loop 30 for retaining the overshoe in position on regular shoes with an open back, it being understood that the ankle strap 32 may or may not be provided, depending upon the size and the nature of the regular shoe which is to be accommodated.

Finally, it is to be explained that although the invention is primarily intended for use by women and children, the teachings of the invention may be extended to include a use on shoes worn by men, if so desired, it only being necessary to vary the size and shape of the overshoe so as to accommodate the particular regular shoe to which the overshoe is to be applied.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly apparent from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:v

1. A waterproof overshoe including a relatively stiff sole and a relatively limber upper, a doubled` counter strap secured to inner and outer surfaces of the rear portion of said upper and projecting above the latter to provide a linger receiving loop, said counter having the ends there- 15 edge of said upper portion, a doubled counterV strap secured to the inner and outer surfaces' of the rear portion of said upper and projecting above said reinforcing rim to provide a finger receiving loop, said counter having the end portions thereof terminating adjacent said sole and reinforcing the rear portion of said upper, and an ankle strap extending through said loop.

KENNETH M. GAETZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 131,041 Whitcomb Sept. 3, 1872 228,769 Mayall June 15, 1880 526,956 Wright Oct. 2, 1894 591,031 Clappison Oct. 5, 1897 856,505 Zeigler June 11, 1907 1,109,107 Byrnes Sept. 1, 1914 1,499,167 Frisch June 24, 1924 1,685,561 Bunker Sept. 25, -19'28 2,281,321 Olson Apr. 28,Y 1942 2,479,006y Garth- Aug. 16, 1949 

